heart, and you would pardon him. It is well known that the Prince is of
an age at which we abandon ourselves to first impressions; that in fiery
youth the passions hardly leave room for reflection. Don Lopez, deceived
by false tidings, was the cause of his master's mistake. An idle report
that the Count was coming, and that you had some understanding with
those who admitted him within these walls, was indiscreetly bruited
about. The Prince believed it; his love, deceived by a false alarm, has
caused all this disturbance. But being now conscious of his error, he is
well aware of your innocence; the dismissal of Don Lopez clearly proves
how great his remorse is for the outburst of which he has been guilty.

ELV. Alas! He too readily believes me innocent; he is not yet quite sure
of it. Tell him to weigh all things well, and not to make too much
haste, for fear of being deceived.

ALV. Madam, he knows too well....

ELV. I pray you, Don Alvarez, let us no longer continue a conversation
which vexes me: it revives in me some sadness, at the very moment that a
more important sorrow oppresses me. Yes, I have received unexpectedly
the news of a very great misfortune; the report of the death of the
Countess Inez has filled my heart with so much wretchedness, that there
is no room for any other grief.

ALV. Madam, these tidings may not be true; but when I return, I shall
have to communicate to the Prince a cruel piece of news.

ELV. However great his sufferings may be, they fall short of what he
deserves.